The entire wayhome from the hospital, Lottie seemed lost in her thoughts, staring out the passenger side window of the cab. Hunt had seen her leave the hospital room, and had watched Rhys follow, before he put his whole focus on Kieran and Hazel and their new little baby. He was so damn happy for his friends.
Even after Elise had told them that Lottie’s brothers had boarded a flight returning to Chicago, Lottie had refused to leave the maternity ward with their inner circle. He understood why, but he thought she forgot she was surrounded by past military and a cop. Though he did get her need to protect everyone, he felt that same yearning burning through him.
When he followed Lottie into her condo, she flipped on all the lights and still hadn’t said a word to him. She headed for the kitchen, so he locked the door behind him. As he joined her, he asked, “Everything okay?”
“Yup.”
He didn’t hide his heavy sigh as he kicked off his boots. “Lottie, I can read a lie, remember?” She had her back to him, standing at the sink, statue still. “Was it seeing the baby that upset you?”
She spun around, leaning against the counter. Her emotion-packed eyes hit him. “No, of course not; the baby was adorable.”
“Then why did you leave? And what’s bothering you now?”
Her chin quivered. “I’ve put you all in danger. Iknewbetter than to ever do that. I knew the risk was there that my family would find me, and I did it anyway.”
The distance between them suddenly seemed an ocean wide. He closed it in a few short strides, placing his hands on either side of her on the counter. “I had a very persuasive hand in that, don’t forget.”
“I just…” She visibly swallowed. “My brothers are dangerous, Hunt. Besides what can happen to your career if the truth ever gets out that we’re together, I don’t want anyone getting hurt.”
He lifted an eyebrow at her. “You didn’t ask to be put in this position. You have people around you that care about you, Lottie. It’s okay that you’re scared. It’s okay to worry about those of us in your life. But this is what we do—we take care of each other. Elise, Archer...me,we’re in this with you.”
She glanced at his chest, like she couldn’t hold his gaze. “I know I can’t persuade you to not be involved in this, but I want you to make me a promise.”
His gaze fell to her lips. “What do you want me to promise?”
“If anything happens that could threaten your life or your job, youwillwalk away,” she said firmly. He tensed, ready to object, as she added, “No matter what happens. That is the only way we can work, because I cannot be the reason you get hurt or you lose a career you love.” She slowly shook her head, her voice shaky. “I will not ruin your life. Promise me, Hunt.”
“I won’t lose my job,” he vehemently disagreed.
She grabbed the front of his shirt and pleaded, “You can, and youwill, if you get involved with anything that has to do with my brothers. They are not good people. And if you make an enemy of them, they will ruin you.”
“Exactly why I should be involved,” he countered. “I deal with people like this every day.”
“Please hear me,” she begged. “I won’t let my past hurt you. It will destroy me if it does. You, Nessa, Phoenix, all our friends, are the good things in my life. You all have saved me. I won’t recover if anything happens to any of you. This is the promise you will have to make me. If you can’t make it, you need to leave now and let me deal with this on my own.”
Since leaving wasn’t an option, he cocked his head. “What exactly are you asking me to stay out of?”
“If my brothers come after me again, I can go to the police. The ones who actually deal with harassment, not a stubborn homicide detective.” He snorted at that comment, and she pushed on. “I want this to stay legit.”
“If you go to the police about your brothers, they could find about your real identity,” he pointed out. “Isn’t that what you didn’t want?”
“I’d rather take that chance than anyone close to me getting hurt or killed,” she said. “And I will not involve you at all. As far as the police will know, you are an acquaintance, nothing more.”
Only one thing stood out in her little speech. “That’s the deal, then? I stay away from your prick brothers or I don’t get you?”
She nodded. “That’s the deal.”
He hated this fucking deal. So much so that he wanted to stop thinking about it. She let out a cute squeak as he gathered her in his arms and crushed his mouth against hers.
Though, as his tongue slid across her bottom lip asking for entrance, she broke away, pushing on his chest. “Don’t distract me. Promise me.”
“Oh, I promise I’m going to make you come so fucking hard,” he said roughly.
She shivered. “About my brothers—”
Leaning in, he dragged his lips across hers. “If I have to promise to let another cop handle your brothers to have you, then, Lottie, that’s the easiest damn promise I’ve ever made.” His lips met hers again, and she fell into the rhythm of his kiss.
Until, again, she slowly pulled away. He nearly didn’t let her, until he realized her intention by the urgent desire simmering in her features. Knowing what she wanted, he played along and slowly lifted his arms as she pushed his shirt up. He had it over his head a moment later. He couldn’t take his eyes off her teeth nibbling her bottom lip as she opened his belt and then his jeans and thrust them down to his ankles.
